Antelope Audio Unveils Zodiac Platinum – a 768 kHz DSD DAC That Raises the Gold Standard in D/A Conversion
The New Zodiac Platinum, to be Unveiled at T.H.E. Show, Features an Antelope Atomic Clock Input and Supports 256X DSD mode
Santa Monica, CA, May 30, 2013 – Leading digital audio manufacturer Antelope Audio will introduce the newest member of its stellar Integrity line of D/A converters – Zodiac Platinum at the T.H.E Show Newport, Hilton hotel, room 402, between May 31 and June 2, 2013. The new Antelope DAC brings audio appreciation to a higher level, offering the audiophile community the widest DSD support, including the unique 256X mode and a sample rate of 768 kHz via a custom-built USB chip.
The extreme DSD256 greatly extends the accuracy and transparency of the audio reproduction as well as the overall system performance. The custom-designed Antelope USB chip compliments high fidelity by reducing clock jitter and pushing the envelope of the USB streaming with sample rates four times higher than those offered by similar devices.
Whereas many top of the line DACs offer PCM upsamplers, the Platinum is the first device to offer a DSD upsampler. This distinctive feature allows the upsampling of DSD64 to DSD256, pushing DSD noise into higher frequencies, vastly improving the quality of the D/A conversion. The Platinum bypasses internal digital filters built into the DAC chip by implementing a custom upsampler with carefully designed high-precision linear phase filters in the FPGA.
Signature Antelope Clocking
In the heart of the new Platinum lie the renowned 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking and the ultra-low jitter oven-controlled crystal oscillator, which are Antelope’s signature for unprecedented sound quality appreciated by the best recording, mastering and post production studios around the world. In addition, the Platinum is equipped with a 10 MHz input for the legendary Antelope 10M Rubidium atomic clock, providing the most accurate and stable clocking reference and therefore an uncompromised digital to analog conversion.
“The new Zodiac Platinum is not just a response to our customers’ requests for an Antelope DAC with DSD support, but a next level in home audio entertainment,” shared Igor Levin, CEO and founder of Antelope Audio. “The unique 256 X DSD mode, 768 kHz sample rate, quad DAC architecture, and the 64-bit upsampler, together with the atomic input propels Zodiac Platinum into a league of its own in terms of musicality, imaging and detail. This new device will take our customers' listening experience to an entirely new level.” Levin added.
Zodiac Platinum has inherited the stepped relay volume control and the dual stage headphone drivers with impedance control from its very successful and highly appreciated predecessor Zodiac Gold. The Platinum also comes with an elegant remote control and has the option for external audiophile grade power supply Voltikus. In addition to the PC and Mac control panels available in the Zodiac Line, the Platinum also offers the comfort of the remote control from a mobile application, available for Android and iOS.
The new DAC is planned to hit the market by the end of July 2013 with an expected retail price of $4,895. The bundle with Voltikus PSU will be $5,495.
Zodiac Platinum features
The New Zodiac Platinum, to be Unveiled at T.H.E. Show, Features an Antelope Atomic Clock Input and Supports 256X DSD mode
Santa Monica, CA, May 30, 2013 – Leading digital audio manufacturer Antelope Audio will introduce the newest member of its stellar Integrity line of D/A converters – Zodiac Platinum at the T.H.E Show Newport, Hilton hotel, room 402, between May 31 and June 2, 2013. The new Antelope DAC brings audio appreciation to a higher level, offering the audiophile community the widest DSD support, including the unique 256X mode and a sample rate of 768 kHz via a custom-built USB chip.
The extreme DSD256 greatly extends the accuracy and transparency of the audio reproduction as well as the overall system performance. The custom-designed Antelope USB chip compliments high fidelity by reducing clock jitter and pushing the envelope of the USB streaming with sample rates four times higher than those offered by similar devices.
Whereas many top of the line DACs offer PCM upsamplers, the Platinum is the first device to offer a DSD upsampler. This distinctive feature allows the upsampling of DSD64 to DSD256, pushing DSD noise into higher frequencies, vastly improving the quality of the D/A conversion. The Platinum bypasses internal digital filters built into the DAC chip by implementing a custom upsampler with carefully designed high-precision linear phase filters in the FPGA.
Signature Antelope Clocking
In the heart of the new Platinum lie the renowned 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking and the ultra-low jitter oven-controlled crystal oscillator, which are Antelope’s signature for unprecedented sound quality appreciated by the best recording, mastering and post production studios around the world. In addition, the Platinum is equipped with a 10 MHz input for the legendary Antelope 10M Rubidium atomic clock, providing the most accurate and stable clocking reference and therefore an uncompromised digital to analog conversion.
“The new Zodiac Platinum is not just a response to our customers’ requests for an Antelope DAC with DSD support, but a next level in home audio entertainment,” shared Igor Levin, CEO and founder of Antelope Audio. “The unique 256 X DSD mode, 768 kHz sample rate, quad DAC architecture, and the 64-bit upsampler, together with the atomic input propels Zodiac Platinum into a league of its own in terms of musicality, imaging and detail. This new device will take our customers' listening experience to an entirely new level.” Levin added.
Zodiac Platinum has inherited the stepped relay volume control and the dual stage headphone drivers with impedance control from its very successful and highly appreciated predecessor Zodiac Gold. The Platinum also comes with an elegant remote control and has the option for external audiophile grade power supply Voltikus. In addition to the PC and Mac control panels available in the Zodiac Line, the Platinum also offers the comfort of the remote control from a mobile application, available for Android and iOS.
The new DAC is planned to hit the market by the end of July 2013 with an expected retail price of $4,895. The bundle with Voltikus PSU will be $5,495.
Zodiac Platinum features
- Antelope 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) technology
- 10MHz input for Antelope’s Rubidium atomic clock
- Widest DSD support, including the unique 256X mode
- Ultra-low jitter oven-controlled crystal oscillator
- Up to 768 kHz sample rate via custom USB chip
- Switchable 64-bit 8x linear phase upsampler
- Quad DAC architecture for superb dynamic range
- Stepped relay volume control accurate to 0.05 dB
- External audiophile-grade power supply option
- Dual stage headphone drivers with impedance control
- Analog inputs for true preamplifier functionality
- Re-clocked and de-jittered digital audio output
- Aluminum unibody IR remote
- Control application for PC, Mac and mobile devices
- Automatic internet-based device upgradability
| Analog Inputs 1x Balanced Analog Inputs on 1/4” TRS 1x Unbalanced Analog Inputs on RCA | Analog Outputs 2x Headphone outputs on 1/4” TRS 1x Trimmable balanced output on XLR 1x Unbalanced output on RCA |
| Digital Inputs 2x S/PDIF coaxial inputs 2x optical TOSLINK inputs 1x AES/EBU input USB on standard B type connector Atomic / Word Clock Input | Digital Outputs 1x De-jittered AES/EBU Output 2x De-jittered S/PDIF Outputs |
